Spend four hours underground as you climb, crawl, wiggle and slide through the water-worn passages of the infamous Rat’s Nest Cave.
After meeting your guide at the office in Canmore, you will then follow the guide in convoy for a 10 minute drive to the cave parking lot where you’ll pack up your caving gear then hike for 30 minutes up a mountain trail to the cave entrance. Along the trail to the cave, your guide will share with you some of the incredible history of the Bow Valley. You will discuss how caves are formed, the geologic history of the area, discover and examine some of our local fossils, and much more. Make sure to keep an eye out for bighorn sheep and maybe even signs of a bear or a cougar.
Soon after entering the cave you’ll rappel 18 metres down a rope (with safety line backup) and then climb, crawl, wiggle and slide your way through water-worn passages. Your route through the cave may include “the Box”, the Five Way Chamber, the Laundry Chute, the Grand Gallery and finally the Grotto. This beautiful room is the lowest point on the tour, but also one of the highlights with its crystal clear pool and walls covered in stalactites and stalagmites.
No experience is necessary as full instruction is given by the guide.
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Sarah's Pick
"Climbing, crawling, squeezing and rappelling - if that sounds like fun to you, then you're going to love it!" - Sarah , Reservations Supervisor, Discover Banff Tours
The best parts of the tour for most people include the following:
4 hours underground
18m (60ft) rappel inside the cave
Laundry Chute
Grotto Pool
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Sarah's Pick
"Climbing, crawling, squeezing and rappelling - if that sounds like fun to you, then you're going to love it!" - Sarah , Reservations Supervisor, Discover Banff Tours
Please note that guests will then drive to the cave from the office. If do not have your own vehicle a taxi can be arranged to take you at an additional cost.
Footwear must be closed-toe and should have a sturdy tread. Hiking boots or shoes are best, but a sturdy running shoe will also work. Other options include rubber boots or winter boots (in the winter). For clothing, long pants, long sleeves, a warm sweater, and a hoodie or jacket are recommended. Synthetic fabrics are best as they will keep you warm even if you get wet.
Bats are rarely seen at Rat’s Nest Cave. The cave is not a hibernaculum (a place where bats hibernate through the winter). The occasional bat is seen in the summer as they are passing through the area.
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Sarah's Pick
"Climbing, crawling, squeezing and rappelling - if that sounds like fun to you, then you're going to love it!" - Sarah , Reservations Supervisor, Discover Banff Tours
- The minimum age for this tour is 12 years old.
- This tour is physically demanding and is directed at physically fit individuals.
- Fitness is more of a concern than size, however all participants must wear a safety harness which has a maximum waist size of 46″ (116 cm) and a maximum leg size of 33″ (84 cm).
- All participants will need to complete a liability waiver. Any minors must have their waiver signed by a parent or legal guardian before participating on the tour.
- Please note that this tour requires a minimum of 2 participants, please call the day prior to confirm the tour.
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Sarah's Pick
"Climbing, crawling, squeezing and rappelling - if that sounds like fun to you, then you're going to love it!" - Sarah , Reservations Supervisor, Discover Banff Tours
